I finally made it to the MTC!!! I have been here for 2 whole days and I can't even believe it!! I HAVE A NAME TAG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D Seriously the best accessory of my ENTIRE life!!! So here's what's happened for the first couple days!
So I arrived at 12:55 at the MTC and a wonderful sister was my host. I went into the Wilford Woodruff building and received my nametag!! And I found out something...... I am at the West campus (Wyview/Raintree). I was not expecting that! So after I got my nametag, I was put on a bus to Wyview. Then I met a NEW host, who showed me to my room (I like the hosts, I don't have to worry about carrying my bags) ;) We then went with a huge group to the classrooms at Raintree (just down the street) and I got to my class and met my teachers. They are AMAZING!!!!! Brother Leah is from England originally and served in West Virginia. He is SOO cool and I love how much he has ALREADY taught me!! (more of that in a bit). Sister Hoopes is from Wyoming and served in the Michigan Detroit mission. She is so sweet and listens really well! Once our whole district came to the class (4 elders and 4 sisters), we began to learn. We learned about our purpose and about how to be the best missionary we can be. After class, we went to dinner and then we went to the chapel by the stadium to do large group teaching. The teacher for that was....... Drumroll please........... Tyler Christianson from THE DISTRICT!!! How cool!!! We were able to teach 3 investigators as a group of about 40. It was very interesting. I don't know how effective it actually was, BUT it did help us to realize that every person is different and may need different things to come unto Christ. I FORGOT TO TELL YOU ABOUT MY COMPANION!!!!!! My companion's name is Sister Van Heel. She is from Minnesota. She has a speech impediment that makes her pronounce her words a little differently (everyone comes up to her and asks her if she is from another country), but she has the strongest testimony! She is so sweet and kind to me. She helps me be a better person.
So yesterday! I went to study at 7 in the morning, then after breakfast we went to this presentation about people, and our purpose as missionaries. SO COOL!!!! I realized that my purpose as a missionary is not just to baptize people, but also to invite them to come unto Christ and to realize how much God loves them! Our class was so cool. We met our first investigator!!! His name is Bobby. He has a daughter who he wants the best for her. He doesn't affiliate with any particular religion. He believes God is more of a Scientist in the sky and not just something we should believe in. So after we were introduced to him, we had personal study. I prayed to Heavenly Father before I studied to know what I could help teach Bobby about God. I decided to look at the first lesson in Preach My Gospel and see if I could find something for Bobby that would help him in his quest for God (the first section is God is our loving Heavenly Father). I looked at the scriptures in the back of the section and just picked like 3 scriptures randomly (or so I thought!). THESE SCRIPTURES ARE EXACTLY WHAT BOBBY NEEDS!!!!!!!!!!! I found Mosiah 4:9, Acts 17;27-29, and 1 John 4:7-9!! They were exactly what he needs.
After that we went to dinner and then went to meet our branch presidency and their wives. They are SO wonderful!!! I already love them. They want us to be exceptional missionaries and will help us on the way to greatness!! (Name that quote!)
Today is P-day. We went to breakfast and then Sister Van Heel wasn't feeling well and wasn't really able to eat anything, so we had to go to the clinic on the main campus so she will feel better. So I got to go to the main MTC. And I saw two people who I wasn't expecting; Elder Maguet from my BYU ward (he was Elders quorum president), and Elder Easton (he went to EFY with Ashley and me). So that was cool!! Also, I need you to fax the MTC my immunization records so that they have them. The fax number is 801-422-0860. If you could do that as soon as possible that would be wonderful!!!
So I got a package today!! It was Dear Elder cookies and a letter from Kristi Walker!!! If you could tell her thank you, I would really appreciate that!! And I got everyone's dear elders!! You are all (Melissa, Mama, Emily Jarvis, and Daddy) SO SWEET!! Thank you Daddy for what you shared with me. I hope that I can do all in my power to be a "consecrated missionary."
I think I left my address book in the car... If you could send that as well, you would be the best!! Even though you already are!
Did you set up the blog yet? How are things in the stake? Tell me How Stake Conference goes! How is Football and golf going? Tell everyone to write to me!!! I LOVE LETTERS!!!! From EVERYONE!!!!!
OH!!! I forgot! I get to teach my investigator Bobby TODAY!!! AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! I am so nervous and excited at the same time!!! I feel like Sister Van Heel and I have prepared pretty well and we can teach him what he needs. The lesson will only be like 15-20 minutes so not too hard! and at least I get to do it in English!! :)
So some good things about Wyview before I have to go. Lots of walking. We walk EVERYWHERE!!! AND raintree is across the street and we are in the building on the VERY end of the world! My apartment only has 4 girls and we have 1 bathroom, so I don't have to share with too many people! The "gym" is outside! Our district can be no more than 8 (which it is!)
Oh funny story! First day, I met an Elder Larson (he's in my district). After we were talking for a while, we started talking about assignments in the mission like Zone leader, Sister Training Leader and District Leader. I immediately pointed to him and said, "you're gonna be zone leader." Last night they announced Zone Leaders... And it's him and his companion!!!! I KNEW IT!!!!
I cannot wait to go out to Irvine!! I feel like I have been here forever! and it's only been 2 1/2 days!!! its true that the days feel like weeks and the weeks feel like days. I am exhausted and kinda sick of studying for me! I wanna serve people and forget about myself! Maybe that's why they only have us here for 13 days!!
Well I am about out of time. I just want you all to know how much I love you and feel your prayers in my life! I miss you all, but I would not be anywhere else in the world at this time! I was BORN for this and I CAN DO THIS!!! There really is power and authority in the calling and being set apart. I never really realized that, and I am so glad I know that now!! The church is true! Jesus loves you and He loves me too! I cannot wait to see what the next week brings and I hope to get tons of letters from you soon!!! I love you all sooooooooooooooo much!!!!!!!!!
Until Next week and with Much Love,
Sister Haws :)
